News and Updates

Congratulations to Shanon Weaver, Tom Green, and Melissa Livingston of a chick and a dude productions for three nominations at the 2011 B. Iden Payne Awards for their amazing production of Paradise Key ! The B. Iden Payne Awards are awarded annually by the Greater Austin Creative Alliance to recognize outstanding contributions to the Austin theatre community. And Paradise Key was nominated for Best Drama, Best Director (Melissa Livingston), and Best Actor in a Drama (Tom Green as HALB).

This weekend I had the disembodied pleasure of spending some time in the Gershwyn Hotel on 27th Street to bear witness to The Amoralists' new pair of productions called Hotel Motel. These twin-bed shows both exemplify the essence of hotel - that displaced intimacy, that public space that houses private impulses - and the whole event leaves one aware of the great schism. The Amoralists excel at unrelenting acting and immersive interpretation; the shows probe and prod, at times uncomfortably and with the detachment of a physical exam. But we are in the hands of professionals. Derek Ahonen's "Pink Knees on Pale Skin" follows Innocence and Experience as they struggle to unite through sex therapy. And Adam Rapp's "Animal's and Plants" - a fever dream in a snow storm - is like whittling on a bone. Kudos to the teams and production for presenting this challenging work.

Why is it so terrifying for me to submit a play? As a playwright I do a pretty good job of keeping up with submission calendars, web sites, etc., but when it comes time to actually pushing the "Submit" button (or "Send" or dropping something in the mail...) I procrastinate like nobody's business. I always thinks that one more read of that draft will make that little bit of difference. And spending that extra few hours will take the play I've been working on for years to the next level of apogee. I agonize over cover letters and letters of inquiry and statements of purpose and the like. (It is a particular level of Hell that playwrights must synopsize their life and / or work into one page or less.) And I'll print things out countless times if I find a typo or run on sentence. And then worry all night that I didn't find them all.

This week I head down to D.C. (by train) for the Kennedy Center Summer Playwriting Intensive. This event features some true celebrities of the playwriting world, and I'm thrilled to be (humbly) facilitating some of the work sharing sessions. I'm excited to be able to participate this year, and I'm looking forward to enjoying the fellowship of such a unique and talented brood.

Rehearsals are heating up for H. apocalyptus and we've posted some promotional photos online. This "new American creation myth" is about Zombies, survival, and the meaning of family. For details, tickets, and more, check out The Salvage Company (NYC) website. PREVIEW PERFORMANCE ADDED! We have been able to add a one-night-only preview performance of H. apocalyptus at Trustus Theatre as a fundraiser / benefit. Trustus has graciously hosted us for our rehearsals in South Carolina and this is a great way to say "thank you" to them for their support. If you can't make it to Charleston for the run, please come out and enjoy this stripped-down version of the play, plus a chance to meet the team in the (living) flesh. WHERE: Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St., Columbia, SC ( Google Map ) WHEN: Sunday, June 5 at 7:30 PM

I'm really excited to be preparing for the U.S. Premiere of my new play H. apocalyptus at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC from June 8 - 12. Teaming up with The Salvage Company (NYC) and the phenomenal director Katherine Brook , the whole team is at the top of their game. Come join us around the electronic campfire. Amazing Press " Top 10 Must See. " "a humor-laced, whiskey-fueled alternative American Creation myth" - Charleston City Paper - Critic's Pick! "caters to everyone’s apocalyptic cravings" - Charleston Geek Culture Examiner "the most important work of the Piccolo Spoleto season." - Free Times Help Out If you're in the area, you can buy tickets online . Or donate to our Kickstarter Campaign .

The tradition at the end of each multi-week class at the Primary Stages / Einhorn School of the Performing Arts is to show off a little. For the past few months, a number of dedicated playwrights have gathered together on winter Mondays to huddle over fresh-hot pages as part of a First Draft group led by the astute Julian Sheppard. I've really enjoyed the sessions, and I'm excited about some of the ideas that I have been developing. Look for more soon about computer programmers, drone aircraft, and Chinese waitress / spies. WHAT: Primary Stages / ESPA Presentation WHERE: 307 West 38th St. Suite 1510 - Studio B WHEN: 6:00 PM